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Clover
Price starts at
$14.95 per month (plus hardware)
Free trial
90 days
Key features
Versatile POS, invoicing, employee management
Katherine Haan is a small business owner with nearly two decades of experience helping other business owners increase their incomes.
Katherine Haan
Katherine Haan is a small business owner with nearly two decades of experience helping other business owners increase their incomes.
Kelly Main is a Marketing Editor and Writer specializing in digital marketing, online advertising and web design and development. Before joining the team, she was a Content Producer at Fit Small Business where she served as an editor and strategist covering small business marketing content. She is a former Google Tech Entrepreneur and she holds an MSc in International Marketing from Edinburgh Napier University. Additionally, she is a Columnist at Inc. Magazine.
Reviewed
Kelly Main
Kelly Main is a Marketing Editor and Writer specializing in digital marketing, online advertising and web design and development. Before joining the team, she was a Content Producer at Fit Small Business where she served as an editor and strategist covering small business marketing content. She is a former Google Tech Entrepreneur and she holds an MSc in International Marketing from Edinburgh Napier University. Additionally, she is a Columnist at Inc. Magazine.
Editorial Note: We earn a commission from partner links on Forbes Advisor. Commissions do not affect our editors' opinions or evaluations.
Retailers use point of sale (POS) systems to track sales history, process transactions and track inventory. When implemented correctly, the POS systems can also help retailers increase revenue, drive customer loyalty and achieve business goals. Forbes Advisor evaluated the best retail POS systems on the market and rated them based on pricing, ease of use, usefulness and more.
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The Best Retail POS Systems of 2024
- eHopper POS: Best for small business owners on a budget
- SumUp: Best free option
- Lightspeed: Best for omnichannel businesses
- Square POS: Best for small retailers
- PayPal Zettle: Best for businesses on the go
- Clover: Best for larger retail businesses
- Shopify POS: Best for in-person retailers already selling with Shopify Online
Why You Can Trust Forbes Advisor Small Business
The Forbes Advisor Small Business team is committed to bringing you unbiased rankings and information with full editorial independence. We use product data, strategic methodologies and expert insights to inform all of our content and guide you in making the best decisions for your business journey.
We reviewed 15 different POS systems using a complex methodology to help you find the seven retail POS systems for small businesses. Our ratings consider factors, such as pricing plans, POS features, customer opinions and a review of each provider by our panel of experts. All ratings are determined solely by our editorial team.
Forbes Advisor Ratings
| Company | Forbes Advisor Rating | Starting price | Processing Fees | Standout Features | LEARN MORE | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| eHopper |  |
4.7 |  |
Free; $29.99 per month (billed annually) | 0% | Inventory management, unlimited products, unlimited transactions | Learn More | Via partner site | |
| SumUp |  |
4.7 |  |
Free; $39 per card reader | 2.75% in-person and 3.25%, plus 15 cents per transaction | Inventory management, no minimums, no contracts | Learn More | Read Forbes' Review | |
| Lightspeed |  |
4.5 | |
$89 per month (billed annually) | 2.6% plus 10 cents per transaction | Inventory Management | Learn More | On Lightspeed's Website | |
| Square POS |  |
4.4 | |
Free, hardware extra | 2.6% plus 10 cents per transaction in-person and 3.5% plus 15 cents online | Inventory management, omnichannel selling, user-friendly | Learn More | Via partner site | |
| PayPal Zettle |  |
4.2 |  |
Free; $29 for your first card reader | 2.29% plus 9 cents per transaction | Invoicing and inventory management | Learn More | Read Forbes' Review | |
| Clover |  |
4.0 | |
$14.95 per month or $60 per month for hardware and software | 2.3% plus 10 cents per transaction | Real-time sales tracking, employee management, user-friendly | Learn More | On Clover's Website | |
| Shopify |  |
3.9 | |
$39 per month | 2.7% per transaction | Staff management, multi-location inventory management, split payments | Learn More | On Shopify's Website |
How To Choose the Best POS System for Retail
Spending some time to research and vet POS systems thoroughly can help to ensure you’ll be happy with your purchase. Here’s everything you need to know to select the best retail POS system for your needs and budget:
Essential Retail POS Features
There are a few must-have features for any retail POS system. These essential features include:
- Inventory management: Retail businesses need to track what products are in stock at all times. A POS system with inventory management features simplifies this process by automatically updating your inventory count when sales are made.
- Customer management: A retail POS system should allow you to create customer profiles and track purchase history. This information can be used to send targeted marketing emails and increase customer loyalty.
- Employee management: A retail POS system should allow you to add and delete employees, as well as track employee sales. This information can be used to monitor employee performance and identify top performers.
- Hardware compatibility: A retail POS system should be compatible with a variety of hardware, including receipt printers, barcode scanners and cash drawers.
- Mobile payments: A retail POS system should allow you to accept mobile payments, such as Apple Pay and Google Pay.
These are the essential features that any retail POS system should have. However, there are a few additional features that can be useful for certain businesses:
- Multi-location inventory: A POS system with multi-location inventory management features can be helpful for businesses with multiple stores. This feature allows you to track inventory at each location and transfer inventory between locations.
- Website integration: A POS system that integrates with your website can be helpful for businesses that sell both online and in-store. This feature allows you to manage inventory and customers in one place.
- Accounting software integration: A POS system that integrates with accounting software, such as QuickBooks, can be helpful for businesses that need to track sales and expenses in one place.
These are a few additional features that can be useful for certain businesses. However, not all businesses need these features. It’s important to choose a POS system with the features that are right for your business.
Retail POS System Cost
When budgeting for your new POS system purchase, it’s important to consider both hardware costs and payment processing fees. Here’s what you need to know:
Hardware Costs
The cost of POS hardware can vary depending on the type of hardware you need. The most common type of POS hardware is a terminal, which includes a touchscreen display, processor and software. Terminal prices can range from $200 to $2,000.
If you already have a computer or iPad, you may be able to use it as your POS terminal. In this case, you would only need to purchase peripheral hardware, such as a receipt printer and barcode scanner. Peripheral prices can range from $100 to $500.
If you plan to use a mobile device as your POS terminal, you can use a POS app that doesn’t require any additional hardware. However, you may need to purchase a mobile credit card reader, which typically costs around $30.
Payment Processing Fees
Most POS systems come with a payment processing service, which allows you to accept credit and debit cards. Payment processing fees are typically around 2.5% of the total sale, plus a per-transaction fee of $0.10 to $0.30.
Some POS systems allow you to use your own payment processor, which can save you money on processing fees. However, you will typically need to pay a monthly fee for the POS software. These monthly fees can range from $50 to $100.
POS System vs. Cash Register for Retail
A POS system offers several advantages over a traditional cash register, including:
- Inventory tracking: A POS system can help you keep track of your inventory levels and reorder products when necessary.
- Customer management: Using a POS system can help you track customer purchase history and send targeted marketing emails. This, in turn, can help you boost sales and better serve your customers.
- Employee management: A POS system can assist you in monitoring sales and the performance of your employees.
- Hardware compatibility: A POS system is versatile and can integrate seamlessly with receipt printers, barcode scanners and cash drawers.
- Mobile payments: You can accept mobile payments with POS systems, including tap payments and QR code payments.
A cash register is a simple device for ringing up sales. It does not offer the same features and benefits as a POS system. If you are looking for a more sophisticated solution to manage your retail business, then a POS system is the way to go.
Methodology
To determine our top seven retail POS systems, our team evaluated 15 systems across dozens of features. We focused on specific categories of data: customer support, pricing, fees and standout features. In addition, we looked at actual customer reviews to see if a company’s marketing promises match real user experiences.
Pricing
For pricing, we looked into the pricing plans that each provider offered, giving bonus points to those that offered the initial POS system like card readers for free or at a discounted price. We looked at the range of each provider’s pricing plans and considered whether they were affordable, fair or expensive. Then, we looked at transaction fees. Smaller retailers, in particular, rely on free plans or reasonably priced subscriptions for their POS systems. For this reason, most of our top contenders have free options and affordable paid plans. Pricing accounted for 35 percent of the final score.
Features
While most retail POS systems accept mobile payments and include hardware, retailers in particular need systems to track inventory. Another important feature is software integrations. In addition to offering retail POS options, we gave bonus points if a provider offered options for restaurants as well. Other features we consider important to have as part of a retail POS system include inventory management, built-in payment processing and the ability to take mobile payments. We weighted features at 35% of our total score.
Expert Analysis
The features offered by POS systems don’t matter if employees can’t use them. This is why our panel of experts turned to third-party review sites to get actual users’ opinions about key factors, such as ease of use. The learning curve should not prohibit retailers from using a system’s most robust features. What works for one retail business may not be suitable for another, so we carefully considered which POS system fits different types of stores. In addition to ease of use, our experts also consider other key points, such as stand-out features, value for the money and the overall popularity of the retail POS system. This expert analysis made up 30% of the total score.
Featured Partner
Advertisement
1
Clover
Price starts at
$14.95 per month (plus hardware)
Free trial
90 days
Key features
Versatile POS, invoicing, employee management
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is the best POS for retail?
There is no one-size-fits-all answer to this question. The best POS system for your retail business depends on your specific needs and budget. However, both eHopper and SumUp tie for first place in our list of the best POS systems because they’re affordable, easy to use and offer a wide range of features.
What is the cheapest retail POS system?
The cheapest POS system is a free one. SumUp and eHopper offer free plans, although typically you’ll pay more in transaction fees. If you don’t process many transactions, this might not be a big deal.
Do I need a mobile POS for my retail store?
It depends. If you have a brick-and-mortar store, then a mobile POS can be helpful for processing transactions on the go. If you have an online store, then a mobile POS might not be necessary unless you’re planning on taking sales on the go at pop-up shops or markets
What hardware do I need for a POS system?
The type of hardware you need will depend on the POS system you choose. Some systems, such as eHopper, can run on a computer or iPad. Others, including Clover, require specific hardware, such as a terminal or chip reader. You may also need to purchase peripheral hardware, such as a receipt printer or barcode scanner.
What is the easiest POS system to use?
Out of all the retail POS systems we analyzed, we’ve determined the easiest to use is Square POS. It requires virtually no training to use, and you can set it up in minutes.
How can I get a free POS machine?
Several retail POS providers offer free POS machines. Out of our list of the best retail POS systems, eHopper may provide a free POS machine to United States customers who qualify for one.
How long does it take to get a POS machine?
The time it takes to receive your POS machine depends on which POS system you choose. Most take 10 to 14 business days to arrive, although Clover provides free overnight shipping after you’re approved for an account.
